The Father of Modern Landmarkism: the Life of Ben M. Bogard by J. Kristian Pratt, part of the James N. Griffith Series in Baptist StudiesAn interesting collection of "Sermons & Lessons" by Bogard can be found HERE and four recorded sermons HERE.
Bogard's Pillars of Orthodoxy is online HERE.
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3 comments:
I just finished reading this book. I am anxious to hear your thoughts on it.
I've have ordered the book, but have not received it yet. I am looking forward to it, and will probably review it on my blog. I've read Pratt's piece on the relationship of Bogard and J. Frank Norris, and I thought it was well researched and well written. So I expect good things from this book. It is good to have an outsider give a perspective, as well as recognize the importance of Bogard. I do wonder what Pratt considers "modern Landmarkism" and how he sees Bogard as the father of it. Not that isn't easy to imagine, but I wonder if there isn't quite a bit of Landmarkism that developed along lines outside Bogard's influence -- for example, Landmarkers who are still in the Southern Baptist Convention.
I would enjoy hearing your thoughts on the book. Was it good? Were there parts that surprised you? Would you recommend to others?
Bro. Vaughn, The book is very well written and well documented. I had the privilege of reading Bart Barber's work on Bogard so I was somewhat familiar with most of the research done by Pratt. However, there were a few things in the book I had not read before (or heard). For instance: how he received his first honorary doctorate and also an episode that supposedly happened when Bogard pastored in KY. I don't want to spoil it for you, so I won't say more. Ha!
As to the "modern Landmarkism," I think Bogard may have been more of an advocate for the autonomy of the church than Graves. Whereas Graves opposed pedobaptism and intercommunion, Bogard seemed to focus more on the autonomy issue. While both men agreed on these issues, their emphasis seemed to be a little different. However, I'm sure by the time Bogard rose to prominence, he deemed the autonomy issue as the most pressing. In part, I draw that conclusion due to the fact that Graves and Hall (and others) never formally left the convention. I realize Graves and Bogard both opposed infant baptism and affirmed the autonomy of the church, but it seems the times in which they lived demanded a different emphasis. By the way, these thoughts are mine, not Pratt's.
I think you will greatly enjoy the book!
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